Art Deco industrial designer Walter von Nessen is best known for his glamorous Machine Age lighting designs and for his invention of the swing-arm lamp. Von Nessen was born in Germany, where he studied under Bruno Paul at Berlin’s Kunstgewerbeschule. After World War I, he worked for the architect Peter Behrens, in Berlin. He left in 1919 for Stockholm, where he designed furniture until emigrating with his wife, Margaretta, to the United States in 1923. In 1927, the couple opened Nessen Studios in Manhattan, designing and selling sleek, modern architectural lighting.
Art Deco was both novel and exciting in the late 1920s — as, indeed, was electricity itself — and Nessen Studios was at the forefront of the movement. Electric lighting designers at the time had no direct models to follow. The shapes and silhouettes of gas lamps, lanterns and chandeliers had been influenced by those of the kerosene-, oil- and candle-lit fixtures that preceded them, which in turn were informed by the fuels they used. Electric lighting required designs that accommodated essentials of the new technology, like cords and sockets. Von Nessen and his contemporaries thus had to create fixtures that addressed these challenges and looked modern without appearing overly mechanical.
Along with industrial-design visionaries of the period like Raymond Loewy, Gilbert Rohde and Donald Deskey, von Nessen crafted a style that was emblematic of the Machine Age. He produced lamps and home accessories from spun aluminum, with smooth surfaces that evoked the polished gleam of streamlined automobiles and airplanes. And he experimented with other popular materials of the era, such as Bakelite, chrome and fiberglass. His ingenious design for the now-ubiquitous swing-arm lamp earned him a reputation as an innovator.
Von Nessen’s work is represented in the collections of the Museum of Modern Art and the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian National Design Museum, among other institutions. Designed to complement the luxurious interiors of the 1920s and ‘30s, still look fresh nearly a century later.
Coffee Urn, "Coronet Pattern", Model No. 90121
By Walter Von Nessen
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this rare Art Deco Coffee Urn, "Coronet Pattern", Model No. 90121 designed by Walter Von Nessen. Fantastic vintage conditions.
Steel
Silver Plated Rose & Leaf Pattern Pie/Cake Server by National Silver Co
By National Silver Company 1
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This Unbranded silver-plated rose and leaf pattern pie server features a blade made of silver-plated metal by National Silver Co . The blade is adorned with an intricate cut-out desi...
Silver
19th Century English Silver Plate Samovar / Tea Urn
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Mid 19th century English silver plated samovar / tea or coffee urn with Ram detail side handles and finial lid on square footed base . The samova...
Silver Plate, Copper
Gorham Aesthetic Pattern Silver Plate Scoop
By Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in Riverdale, NY
Elegant 19th Century Aesthetic style large server by Gorham in silverplate with teak wood carved handle. Wave like designs in scoop with a gently sloped handle with carved scrolls at...
Silver Plate
Herend Porcelain Rothschild Pattern Serving Set
By Herend
Located in Delft, NL
A Herend porcelain Rothschild pattern serving set A Herend porcelain Rothschild pattern serving set, consisting of 8 plates of 15 cm diagonal (5....
Porcelain
$425
H 1 in W 23.5 in D 16 in
Large Vintage Danish Modern Teak Serving Tray by Silva, Denmark, Model No. 73152
By Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
A beautifully proportioned Danish Modern serving tray by Silva, Denmark, bearing the original underside manufacturer's stamp with Patent No. 73152. Crafted from richly grained teak, the tray features gently raised molded edges with sculpted finger grips on each side, combining elegant Scandinavian form with practical function. #5529RM Its warm honey-brown patina and minimalist silhouette embody the timeless aesthetic of mid-century Danish design. Large enough for entertaining yet refined enough for permanent display on a coffee table, bar, or credenza, it works equally well as a serving tray or decorative centerpiece. Silva trays...
Teak
Antique George III Quality Ornate Copper Samovar/Tea Urn
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique George III quality ornate copper samovar/tea urn having a quality copper ornate samovar with a lift off lid, outstanding quality turned carrying handles, original tap standin...
Copper
$240 / set
H 0.99 in W 6.11 in D 5.12 in
Set of art deco period 'coffee bean' coffee spoons made in 1930 by Adie Brothers
By Adie Brothers
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in Birmingham in 1930 by Adie Brothers, this handsome set of 6, George V period, Sterling Silver Set Coffee Spoons, are plain in ...
Sterling Silver
$1,425
H 8.57 in W 2 in D 1.5 in
Georg Jensen Denmark "Ornamental" #83 Pattern Sterling Silver Serving Knife
By Georg Jensen
Located in St. Louis, MO
Rare Georg Jensen solid Sterling server in the rare pattern number 83. This wonderful piece was designed in 1913 by Georg Jensen and is part of the Jensen Silversmith collection of r...
Sterling Silver
$225 / set
H 8.5 in W 7 in D 4 in
Loewy Modern Form 2000 Grasses Pattern Coffee Service 3 Pcs Rosenthal Germany
By Rosenthal, Raymond Loewy
Located in Miami, FL
A Mid-Century Modern porcelain coffee service set consisting of coffee pot, creamer and lidded sugar by Rosenthal in the GRASSES pattern with the iconic ...
Ceramic, Porcelain
Neoclassical Green and Gilt Faux Marble Samovar Coffee Urn
Located in New York, NY
Neoclassical green and gilt faux marble samovar coffee urn. Gilt and green faux marble painted samovar with Greco Roman mask issuing spout on pedestal abov...
Metal
$150
H 4 in W 8.25 in D 4.75 in
Vintage Coronet Silver Victorian Silver Plated Covered Butter Dish Crown Handle
By Coronet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Coronet Silver Victorian Silver Plated Covered Butter Dish with Crown Handle. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 4" H x 8.25" W x 4.75" D.
Silver Plate
German Rosenthal Porcelain Coffee Pot Model Barocco by Versace
By Rosenthal, Versace
Located in Vilnius, LT
German Rosenthal porcelain coffee pot. Model: Versace Barocco. Stamped on the bottom.
Porcelain
$1,122
H 1.93 in Dm 11.74 in
René Lalique “Coquilles No. 1” Opalescent Glass Plate, France, circa 1924
By René Lalique
Located in MAASTRICHT, LI
An exceptional René Lalique “Coquilles No. 1” plate in clear and opalescent moulded-pressed glass. Designed in 1924, this celebrated Art Deco model features four large, radiating shells rendered with finely articulated ribs. The opalescent glass gives the shells a luminous, pearlescent appearance that changes beautifully with the light. Lalique achieved this by adding substances such as phosphates and tin compounds to the glass mixture and carefully controlling the heating and cooling. This is the largest version of the Coquilles plate...
Glass, Art Glass
Pyramid Pattern Sterling Silver Marrow Scoop--Georg Jensen, Denmark
By Georg Jensen
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Sterling silver marrow scoop in the "Pyramid" pattern by Georg Jensen and bearing the preferred Denmark hallmark incised on the reverse (see photo). Void of a monogram and recently p...
Sterling Silver
Porcelain Samovar, Tea or Coffee Urn Handmade in Italy
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Porcelain lidded samovar, tea or coffee urn, handmade in Italy. Great decorative piece with handles and brass metal sprout. Great to use for serving hot tea or any beverage. Beautiful colorful hot water urn samovar in the Russian style. Gilt fine porcelain tea pot hand...
Porcelain
American Art Deco Chrome Bakelite Samovar Walter Von Nessen
By Chase Brass and Copper Company, Walter Von Nessen
Located in Rochester, NY
American Art Deco / Machine age chrome plated brass and bakelite Coronet samovar model 17088 ( coffee urn ) designed by Walter Von Nessen for Chase Brass and Copper Company, 1938. Ma...
Chrome
Walter Von Nessen Tray for Chase Brass and Copper Company
By Chase Brass and Copper Company, Walter Von Nessen
Located in San Mateo, CA
Chase Tiffin tray in copper designed by Walter Von Nessen. This tray is in original condition. It shows normal wear. There is some paint loss on the wood handles. One side of one han...
Copper